February 9, 2024
Texas’ Largest Hunting and Fishing Newspaper Since 2004
Volume 20, Issue 12
Thrifting for hunting gems By Meghan Sharber
For Lone Star Outdoor News
Some hunters and anglers turn to thrift stores to find vintage and new gear at bargain prices. Photo by Meghan Sharber, for Lone Star Outdoor News.
While hunting skills cannot magically be acquired without practice, there is an option to at least look the part. Like the outdoors, the world of thrifting can bring forth excitement and triumph, especially if you discover unique hunting gear. Although the idea of thrifting
can be traced back to ancient times, thrift stores transpired in the United States and Europe in the 19th century, according to thriftworld.com. Outdoorsman Andrew Starnes credited older merchandise to sometimes being more reliable than the new. While thrifting with his fiancée, he found a vintage Columbia jacket for only $7, possibly worth $200 back in
the day. “With leather stitching and logos, there is an option to double layer or take it apart,” Starnes said. “It has the Mossy Oak Bottomland Camo and even has shotgun shell holders.” Avid thrifter Jackellin Reyes asserted the older material can have a better quality, and believes in the environmental impact thrifting produces.
“Every piece had a life before they were donated,” Reyes said. “Whatever it is, someone saw its potential and creative contribution.” Reyes dedicates full days toward thrifting about two to four times a month. Because it may be time consuming, she said it is important to be patient, because the treasures will come. “A huge plus is you help Please turn to page 7
Trophy trout on backside of full moon By Nate Skinner
For Lone Star Outdoor News When it comes to catching massive speckled trout, it seems that timing is everything. The moon phase, weather conditions and barometric pressure can all play a role in when and where these fish decide to feed. When it all comes together, the results can be magical. Anglers wade-fishing on the backside of the full moon at the tail end of January and the beginning of this month, proved just that. Multiple specks measuring more than 30 inches in length were caught and released. The General Manager of Fat Cat Boatworks, Cliff Kettler, was wading a thigh-deep flat along the Lower Laguna Madre with his buddy, Rick Ojeda, when he caught and released a 32.25-inch trout. Kettler said the trophy was only the second fish he had caught all morning. “The big trout bit late in the morning,”
Kettler said. “We had waded a long way from the boat and really hadn’t caught much at all. A strong north wind had started blowing pretty hard with the passage of a cold front, and we were about ready to call it quits for the day.” Kettler and Ojeda were slowly wading and fishing their way back to the boat when the uneventful trip turned memorable. “After a long stretch without any action, Rick hooked up with a fish that ended up measuring about 20 inches or so,” Kettler explained. “I had just switched baits, and put on a Lemon Drop Soft Dine XL. Two casts later, I felt the thump that I had been anticipating all morning long.” Ojeda had just finished releasing his fish before Kettler hooked up with his huge speck. Immediately after the hookset, Kettler thought, for just a second, that he had hooked something on the bottom. Then, the fish took off and began stripping the drag. Then, Kettler was sure he had hooked a redfish. Please turn to page 19
Trevor Hancock caught and released this 30.25-inch speckled trout while wade-fishing at night in kneedeep water in the norther portion of the Aransas Bay system. Photo from Trevor Hancock.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT 3814
Coyotes devour arrowed adult buck By Meghan Sharber
After Brady Johanson shot this buck with his bow, several coyotes immediately chased and consumed the buck within 45 minutes. Photo from Brady Johanson.
It was a cold December day in Quihi, in Medina County, as archery hunter Brady Johanson was eager to harvest a unique deer he had been after all year long. As the deer was concealed behind a tree, Johanson heard a coyote bark about 100 yards away. Thinking the noise would startle the deer, instead, it stepped away from the tree giving him a clear shot. Johanson took the shot and
Freshwater Fishing Report . . Page 10 Game Warden Blotter . . . . . Page 12 Saltwater Fishing Report . . . Page 13 Heroes . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 14 Sun, Moon & Tides . . . . . . Page 15 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . Page 19 Datebook . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 19
believed his bow hunt was a victory, until the unthinkable happened. “Despite it being a good shot, the deer continued to run as if the shot was not accurate,” Johanson said. “I could see where he was going, and he would not stop running. When he finally went down, he was about 350 yards away — which is a long way.” From what Johanson could see from the tree stand, it appeared the deer was having a hard time dying. For 10 minutes, the head of the deer would occasionally move, but dirt flying, and Please turn to page 7
INSIDE
CONTENTS
Time Sensitive Material • Deliver ASAP
For Lone Star Outdoor News
HUNTING
FISHING
Turning heads (P. 4)
Catfish turning on (P. 8)
Catching eyes at SHOT Show.
Blues, channels feeding after front.
Capturing the outdoor lifestyle (P. 4)
New speckled trout limits (P. 8)
First-time hunter with a new outlook.
Changes approved by TPW Commission.